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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Singam Ondru

From Arunachalam · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Deva
Details
Arunachalam1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Singam ondru purappattathaeA lion has set out
Adhuku nalla kaalamFor it, good times...
Chorus :PoranthuruchuChorus: ...have been born
Male :NeramMale: The time...
Chorus :KaninchirukkuChorus: ...has ripened
Male :OorumMale: The townspeople...
Chorus :ThelinchirukkuChorus: ...have gained clarity
Male :UnmaiMale: The truth...
Chorus :PurinchirukkuChorus: ...has been understood
Male
Singam ondru purappattathaeA lion has set out
Male
Unnodu ratham sindhaTo shed blood along with you
Unmaiyulla koottam unduThere is a loyal group
Unnodu ratham sindhaTo shed blood along with you
Unmaiyulla koottam unduThere is a loyal group
Male
Rendil ondru paarkkum varaikkumUntil seeing one of two outcomes
Ada rendu kannil illai urakkamHey, there is no sleep in both eyes
Sabatham seidhuHaving taken a vow
Male
Singam ondru purappattathaeA lion has set out
Adhuku nalla kaalamFor it, good times...
Chorus :PoranthuruchuChorus: ...have been born
Male :NeramMale: The time...
Chorus :KaninchirukkuChorus: ...has ripened
Male :OorumMale: The townspeople...
Chorus :ThelinchirukkuChorus: ...have gained clarity
Male :UnmaiMale: The truth...
Chorus :PurinchirukkuChorus: ...has been understood
Male
Singam ondru purappattathae..hei..A lion has set out..hei..
Male
Pethavargal ninaithadhaiWhat the parents wished
Mudipaan mudipaanHe will accomplish, he will accomplish
Matravargal sugathukuFor the happiness of others
Uzhaippan uzhaipaanHe will toil, he will toil
Male
Sathiyathin paadhai vazhiAlong the path of truth
Nadappaan nadappaanHe will walk, he will walk
Makkal manam makkalukkaePeople's hearts to the people
Koduppaan koduppaanHe will give, he will give
Male
Thunbam adhu mudigirathaeSuffering is coming to an end
Ivan sonnaal iravum vidigirathaeIf he says so, even the night dawns
Aha oru vaarthaiyilaeAha, with just one word
Ada aagaayam thaan vidigirathaeHey, even the sky brightens up
Theemai vilagida nanmai perugidaSo evil retreats and goodness flourishes
Chorus
Sattam theetum thittam kittumThe scheme that devises laws will be achieved
Male
Singam ondru purappattathaeA lion has set out
Adhuku nalla kaalamFor it, good times...
Chorus :PoranthuruchuChorus: ...have been born
Male :NeramMale: The time...
Chorus :KaninchirukkuChorus: ...has ripened
Male :OorumMale: The townspeople...
Chorus :ThelinchirukkuChorus: ...have gained clarity
Male :UnmaiMale: The truth...
Chorus :PurinchirukkuChorus: ...has been understood
Male
Singam ondru purappattathae..hei..A lion has set out..hei..
Male
Paarpatharku paamaran polTo look at, like a common man
Iruppaan irupaanHe will be, he will be
Velai vandhaal viswaroopamWhen duty calls, a gigantic form
Eduppaan eduppanHe will take, he will take
Male
Kettavanga mugamoodiThe masks of evil people
Kihzippaan kizhippaanHe will tear off, he will tear off
Nallavanga sollum sollaiThe words spoken by good people
Madhippaan madhipanHe will respect, he will respect
Male
Pagaiyae nee thullaathaeEnemy, do not leap in arrogance
Ivan pogum vazhiyil nillaathaeDo not stand in the path he walks
Seerum singam ivanalloIs he not a roaring lion?
Ivanai puzhuvaai nee ennaathaeDo not consider him as a mere worm
Theemai vilagida nanmai perugidaSo evil retreats and goodness flourishes
Chorus
Sattam theetum thittam kittumThe scheme that devises laws will be achieved
Male
Singam ondru purappattathaeA lion has set out
Adhuku nalla kaalamFor it, good times...
Chorus :PoranthuruchuChorus: ...have been born
Male :NeramMale: The time...
Chorus :KaninchirukkuChorus: ...has ripened
Male :OorumMale: The townspeople...
Chorus :ThelinchirukkuChorus: ...have gained clarity
Male :UnmaiMale: The truth...
Chorus :PurinchirukkuChorus: ...has been understood
Male
Singam ondru purappattathae..hei..A lion has set out..hei..
Unnodu ratham sindhaTo shed blood along with you
Unmaiyulla koottam unduThere is a loyal group
Unnodu ratham sindhaTo shed blood along with you
Unmaiyulla koottam unduThere is a loyal group
Male
Rendil ondru paarkkum varaikkumUntil seeing one of two outcomes
Ada rendu kannil illai urakkamHey, there is no sleep in both eyes
Sabatham seidhuHaving taken a vow
Male
Singam ondru purappattathaeA lion has set out
Adhuku nalla kaalamFor it, good times...
Chorus :PoranthuruchuChorus: ...have been born
Male :NeramMale: The time...
Chorus :KaninchirukkuChorus: ...has ripened
Male :OorumMale: The townspeople...
Chorus :ThelinchirukkuChorus: ...have gained clarity
Male :UnmaiMale: The truth...
Chorus :PurinchirukkuChorus: ...has been understood
Male
Singam ondru purappattathae..hei..ha ha…A lion has set out..hei..ha ha…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Singam Ondru Purappattathae is a high-energy hero-introduction anthem from the 1997 Rajinikanth film Arunachalam. Metaphorically equating the protagonist to a lion setting out on a mission, the song highlights his unwavering integrity, selflessness, and fierce determination to fight injustice. It portrays him as a champion of the common people who walks the path of truth, respects elders, and tears off the masks of corrupt villains. The song carries a strong sense of urgency, solidarity, and victory, assuring the public that good times have finally arrived. With a devoted group ready to stand by him, the protagonist vows to rest only after achieving total justice and defeating evil forces.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Singam ondru purappattathae

Compares the hero directly to a lion setting out to bring change and justice.

Epizeuxis / Repetition (Erattai Kilaavi / Adudukuthodir)

Mudipaan mudipaan

Words like 'mudipaan', 'uzhaippan', and 'nadappaan' are doubled for emphasis and rhythmic momentum.

Alliteration & Internal Rhyme (Monaai & Edhai)

Sattam theetum thittam kittum

Internal rhyming of 'sattam' and 'thittam' creates a sharp, memorable rhythm.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Ivan sonnaal iravum vidigirathae

Exaggerates the protagonist's influence, suggesting night turns to day at his word.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt context, the music for Arunachalam was composed by Deva, and this iconic anthem was rendered by singer Mano with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song served as a major political and cinematic mass anthem for Rajinikanth in 1997, subtly tapping into his immense popularity during that period.

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